For Immediate Release: February 9, 2009
Media Contact: Marketing and Communication Department
For the Greener Good: A Green World is a Safer One
WHO
A discussion with:
Ed Mazria, Founder, Architecture 2030
John Podesta, President and CEO, Center for American Progress; Co-chair Obama-Biden Transition Project
Richard Harris, Journalist, NPR (moderator)
WHAT
According to panelist, Ed Mazria, "The road to energy independence, economic recovery, and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions runs through the Building Sector."
The creation, energy consumption, and maintenance of buildings are responsible for almost half of all greenhouse gas emissions annually in the United States and globally the percentage is even greater. The Obama-Biden Plan to Stimulate Urban Prosperity states, "Carbon emissions from buildings are expected to grow faster than emissions from other major parts of our economy. It is expected that 15 million new buildings will be constructed between today and 2015."
Architect Ed Mazria will begin the program discussing climate change and his two-year, nine-million-jobs investment plan that addresses the current economic crisis by building upon his widely adopted 2030 Challenge, an effective strategy for achieving dramatic reductions in energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The 2030 Challenge is to reduce fossil fuel consumption for all new buildings and major renovations by 60% in 2010 and to be carbon neutral by 2030."
Following Mazria's presentation, John Podesta, advisor to President's Barack Obama and Bill Clinton will talk about the impact of climate change on the world political climate. In the book Climatic Cataclysm Podesta writes with co-author Peter Ogden "In the developing world, even a relatively small climatic shift can trigger or exacerbate food shortages, water scarcity, destructive weather events, the spread of disease, human migration, and natural resource competition… Once under way, this chain reaction becomes increasingly difficult to stop, and therefore it is critical that policymakers do all they can to prevent that first climate change domino – whether it be food scarcity or the outbreak of disease – from toppling."
Award-winning journalist, Richard Harris who reports on science issues for NPR’s newsmagazines Morning Edition, All Things Considered, and Weekend Edition will moderate the program.
WHERE
National Building Museum
401 F Street NW
Washington, DC 20001 (Judiciary Square Metro, Red Line)
WHEN
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
6:30 – 8:00 pm
$12 member | $20 non-member | FREE students. Prepaid registration required. Walk-in registration based on availability. Register online or call 202.272.2448. Visit the For the Greener Good web page for information on upcoming programs in the series, as well as audio and video of previous programs.
CONTACTS
Marketing and Communications Department, 202.272.2448, ext. 3458
Register for a press pass.
BACKGROUND
For the Greener Good lecture series is presented by The Home Depot Foundation.
The National Building Museum is America’s leading cultural institution dedicated to advancing the quality of the built environment by educating people about its impact on their lives. Through its exhibitions, educational programs, online content, and publications, the Museum has become a vital forum for the exchange of ideas and information about the world we build for ourselves. Public inquiries: 202.272.2448 or visit www.nbm.org. Connect with us on Twitter: @BuildingMuseum and Facebook.
